The Carolina Panthers have maintained their perfect start to the season with a comfortable 34-23 victory over their NFC South rivals the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
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The Panthers were handed the chance to put themselves in the lead when Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston fumbled the snap in wet conditions, and the visitors drove towards the endzone.
However, the hosts' defense made the stand to force the field-goal attempt from Graham Gano, although the kicker had no problem sending his effort through the posts.
Carolina extended their advantage when Winston committed his second turnover of the game as he was picked off by Josh Norman, who returned the ball for a 46-yard touchdown.
The Panthers added a touchdown on offense when Cam Newton drove his side towards the endzone before he guided them in for the score with a pinpoint throw to Ted Ginn.
Tampa Bay got back into the match when Winston rallied his side and drove them inside the five-yard line before he handed the ball off to Doug Martin, who ran over the right side of the line for the touchdown.
The Buccaneers had the chance to close the gap to four points before the break with a 29-yard field goal, but Kyle Brindza put his kick wide of the posts. Brindza's struggles continued in the third quarter when he missed another close-range kick.
He was made to pay for his mistake when Jordan Stewart burst through the Buccaneers' defensive line and fumbled, but the ball was gathered by his teammate Ed Dickson, who ran the ball in for the score.
The Panthers put the game beyond the home side when Winston threw his third interception of the day as Norman picked his pass off, which allowed Newton and his offense to return to the field. The quarterback then found Ginn for his second touchdown of the match.
Winston restored some pride for the home side when he found Charles Sims in the endzone for a 10-yard strike to reduce the deficit, but Gano added two further field goals to secure the win for Ron Rivera's men, despite a consolation score from Vincent Jackson.
Simon Sinclair
